Here are the links to Part I and Part II, in case you missed the previous entries in this series.

In the spring of 2004, Mr. Ford (featured in Part II of this series) enrolled in Professor Trepper’s Sex Therapy class. Throughout this class, Trepper chose to approach the subject from a permissive moral viewpoint. At one point in the semester, he asked Ms. Rosemary Duffy-Greslo, a student in the master’s program, to teach a three hour class period. Duffy-Greslo spent the three hour class period exploring the homosexual political agenda and how her fellow students could advance it in America.

On April 14, 2004, Mr. Ford visited Professor Trepper’s office to ask questions about applying the information from the sex therapy class to different types of clients. He wanted to know how he could apply this knowledge to a patient who has a traditional view of morality - one who follows Biblical moral teachings. As an example, he mentioned the therapeutic approach called “sensate focus,” which uses systematic desensitization to help couples achieve coitus. As it teaches individuals to masturbate, a religious person might not use this technique without violating his religion.

In response, Professor Trepper asked Mr. Ford whether he would conduct “gay affirmative therapy” or “gay couple therapy.” Mr. Ford responded that he would do neither because he did not feel competent to do so. Both clearly violated his faith tradition so, instead, he said he would refer clients requesting such treatment to other therapists. Trepper responded saying: “I just don’t know whether you can even be in the program.”

Later, Professor Trepper asked Mr. Ford: “Didn’t you get asked the Mormon scanning question?” Mr. Ford was confused about the phrase “Mormon scanning question,” so he asked for elaboration. Trepper explained that “it is a question to determine whether Mormons can get into this program.” Mr. Ford immediately recalled all the questions during the admission interviews regarding the alleged ethical issues that confront LDS students as they work with gays.

After this interview, Mr. Ford was shocked at the prospect that he could be removed from the program because of his religious beliefs. So, later on April 14, 2004, Mr. Ford called Professor Trepper. During the conversation, Trepper again said: “I am going to have to talk with the faculty about this. I am not sure whether you can be in the program.”

Mr. Ford then contacted members of the American Association for Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists. Shortly thereafter, he contacted Mr. Larry Crenshaw, a social worker in the Humanitarian and Welfare Office of theLDS Church. Mr. Ford explained that he did not want to compromise his religious values to obtain a degree. Mr. Crenshaw also referred Mr. Ford to Dr. Byrd (featured in Part I of this series). After obtaining advice from Dr. Byrd, Mr. Ford met again with Professor Trepper to reiterate his position regarding therapy that advocates homosexual behavior. Not only did Trepper disagree with Mr. Ford, but he also said: “You are being racist, prejudice, and discriminative[sic].” When Mr. Ford asked how this would affect his standing in the program, Trepper commented: “I don’t know.”

Again following Dr. Byrd’s advice, Mr. Ford met with each program faculty member. He summarized his interaction with Professor Trepper, and each faculty member accepted his account without objection or correction. Professor Hecker responded by noting that Mr. Ford stood on solid ethical ground in removing himself from cases that involve therapy advocating homosexual behavior. She even noted that Trepper had “stepped over the line” in his reaction to Ford.

Professor Wetchler responded differently to Mr. Ford’s account. He said that Mr. Ford had become over anxious and had not handled the situation correctly. He then suggested to Mr. Ford some ways to decrease anxiety when facing “discrimination.” Wetchler also advised Mr. Ford to contact several professors in the LDS Church who taught that LDS therapists should conduct sex therapy for same sex couples. These professors also taught that LDS members should support homosexual behavior. Continued...